Snow covers the hill, but bloodstains clash with the mud and frost. The blond king has fallen to one knee, his left arm hanging useless at his side. Bestial humanoids surround him as he caresses the cheek of the red-haired woman lying mortally wounded before him. Behind the golden-haired king stands the raven-haired knight, his silver armor stained with blood and his eyes wild with triumph, wrath, and greed. He holds the king's crown aloft with one hand as his curved blade slices down at the king with the other. As the image fades, the dim light reveals a plain stone door to the east.

DM Note - We have two rooms left in this adventure, an adventure that we started on the 25th of June. Can you believe it's been that long since you went to Wageton to meet Cato June and talk about the mining contract. Anyways...

Soft light illuminates this corridor from no single point. You see more intricate design work on the north and south walls, but no dust, no webs, and no signs of age or weathering. The passage turns north ahead.

Stairs that descend here are gradual and smooth, and the ceiling above stays at the same height as the corridor, despite the descent. Purple curtains that glitter with gold tracery cover a tall opening to the west of the stairway's base. The passage also continues to the east on the other side of a similar curtain. On the wall facing the base of the stairs is a huge painting that depicts a tall, dark-haired man sitting on a opulent throne. He wears a golden crown and frowns darkly.

"It would seem that the dark knight was not truly prepared for the grim responsibility of the crown. I can only imagine what lies behind these curtains, I am ready to end this mad chase." The cracks his neck and knuckles, then carefully proceeds down the stairs.

Kregnok (and assumably everyone else) follow the monk and pimp as well, cracking necks and knuckles. So much for the stealth approach, thinks the dwarf, listening to the pops and crackles coming from the group...

Ahhh, I love Lou's new job. Look at that, it only took him 3 minutes to reply!

The patterned floor and marble walls gleam in the magical light. They appear polished and unmarked by age. To the northwest you see the statue of a mounted warrior, his sword held high in the air. A narrow passage continues eastward along the north wall.

This large room has glossy stone floor and marble walls. Patterns on the floor and walls shine in the magical light. To the southeast, you see the statue of a mounted warrior, his horse's front hooves kicking in the air. North of that statue, along the eastern wall, are two iron coffers (forgot them, but they would be E18 and F18). A large dais and a jewel-encrusted throne are set against the north wall.

Sitting on the throne is a handsome, clean-shaven man who has a powerful build, his raven locks spilling from beneath a golden crown onto the pauldrons of his fine plate armorand violet cloak. Sheathed blades lean of either side of his fine chair. As you look on, he opens his dark eyes and frowns.

Kregnok will nervously glance at his compatriots before stepping forward.We have been tasked by the townspeople above to avenge the deaths of their people, and clear these holy tombs of a band of tomb raiders that have come before us. We knew not of any resting king, only the chase of a band of theives and murderers.

"The land is slowly pulling itself from the depths of chaos. We few have tried to bring law and order to the land. Hence why we are here, to quell the fears of the people of this realm. And you, you seem to be the morose lord of some kingdom, might you tell us why you dwell here in these tombs?"

The man on the throne eyes drift off, "Ah, in my day the land was young and the mountains were untamed, and we carved out an existance. Tell me, do the orcs still descend down to the plains and wreak havoc?"

"Yes, they have grown even bolder in these times. We have the beginnings of a great keep that I hope to be a bastion of hope for the denizens of these lands. The blood thirsty horde bays at our borders, I assume it is mere months before they lay siege to the land. Their king seems to be gathering them into a fearful force."

The man on the throne just sits there and smiles. You are about to inquire if he is alright but then you see a snear appear on his face. "Walking in the muck...speartips...furious...death of all...pompous ass...glory....damn you...DAMN YOU TO HELL!!!"

The man slumps forward in his throne

A wide-eyed Leera pulls on your sleeve. "Legend says tgat one of the king's most trusted knights betrayed him. The two of them fought desperately, and though the king slew the Betrayer this last battle, the king perished as well. Many of his knights died too, as did those who served the Betrayer."